A new round of strikes commenced early this morning at fast-food restaurants throughout the city, echoing last fall’s unprecedented actions, which saw workers from Burger King, McDonald’s, Domino’s, Wendy’s, and Taco Bell franchises refuse to go to work. Organized by the group Fast Food Forward, the coalition is once again seeking increased wages, up from the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour, and also the right to unionize.
The Times reports that today’s strikes in Manhattan will culminate in a rally and a march on 125th Street; at least one protest that began in Brooklyn earlier today has been joined by Council Member Mathieu Eugene. Fast Food Forward’s Twitter feed is once again providing updates on the workers throughout the day. Hundreds of workers are expected to walk out of work or refuse to enter their workplaces to start shifts today, chosen because it coincides with the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who died 45 years ago today. The civil rights leader had traveled to Memphis to lend his voice and support for 1,300 of the city’s sanitation workers, who were striking in protest of low wages and poor working conditions.
Fast-Food Workers Plan Second Strike for More Pay [NYT]
Earlier: Striking Fast-Food Workers Return to Work
